Fixture for automobile bodies



Sept. 22, 1925.

W. SCHNELL FIXTURE FOR AUTOMOBILE BODIES Filed llay 1924 of Michigan,have invented certain new and- Patented Sept. 22, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM SCHNELL, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO TERNSTEDT MANUFAC-TURING (30., OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

FIXTURE FOR AUTOMOBILE BODIES.

Application filed May 14, 1924. Serial No. 713,171.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, VVIL-LIAM SonNELL, a citizen of the United States,residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State usefulImprovements in Fixtures for Automobile Bodies, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to fixtures for automobile bodies, and has forits object a fixture for fastening on the back of an automobile seat forthe purpose of affording both a robe rail and a handle with which onemay help himself into the car, or the handle may act as a bracket onwhich to hook an umbrella, cane or similar article.

The design of the fixture is such that the bracket portion for thehandle blends into, and harmonizes with the robe rail so as to present aunitary fixture of pleasing and artistic design.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation showing a car equipped with theimproved fixture.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of one end of the fixture.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of one end of the fixture.

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

The ordinary robe rail is provided with an anchoring bracket that issecured by screws to the rear of the front seat. On this bracket ispivotally supported a swinging bar supported by a pair of short armsthat are pivoted to the bracket; this part of the construction is old.

In my improvement at designates the bracket, 2) the swinging bar and cthe arms. However, my improvement embraces not only a plate orescutcheon designated a, but a loop member 03 which is an integral partof the casting or stamping which forms the escutcheon. This loop 01extends not only laterally but rearwardly and downwardly, as clearlyshown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. The lowerjend of the loop is permanentlyanchored to the back of the seat immediately below the escutcheon plateby a screw. This additional part of the robe rail bracket performsseveral functions. One is that it presents a very much stronger supportfor the robe rail, for instead of being anchored over a small area ofthe seat back at each end the robe rail is anchored at each end at twofairly widely spaced points. This means that the anchorage is a greatdeal stronger as against twisting or tearing strains by reason ofreducing the leverage of these strains on the anchor fasteners.Furthermore, the loop presents an additional member for supporting sucharticles as an umbrella, cane, scarf, etc.

Another very important function of the loop is that it presents a handlein a very convenient place to be grasped by one entering the car. Thisis especially advan tageous for an old, decrepit or invalid person; itpresents a handle at the most convenient place for pulling one into thecar. At the same time the handle has not a detached or isolatedappearance such as it might have if it were mounted as a separatefixture on the seat back. It is a part of and a symmetrical continuationof an ornamental fixture that is now found in all firstclass body jobs.

What I claim is:

A fixture for automobile bodies, comprising a pair of loops the top ofeach loop merging into an escutcheon plate secured to the back of theseat, the said escutcheon plate provided with a bracket, theintermediate portion of each loop. bowed laterally outwardly anddownwardly to form a handle and terminating into a foot which is securedto the back of the seat,- and a robe rail hinged to said bracket carriedby each of said escutcheon plates.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

WILLIAM SCHNELL.

